BEES have never been more high profile in Manchester, symbolising the defiance of the city and also its proud creativity. What better way to toast these busy heroes than with a pint made from our own urban wild areas honey?
Manchester Honey Pale Ale was given its debut pour at Food and Beer: The Next Generation, a Manchester Beer Week event last Sunday at Runaway, featuring six collaborations between the city’s breweries and its indie food traders.
The Honey Ale (above) was an addition to the roster but was arguably the tastiest brew on the day when ale fans swarmed down to the Dantzic Street brewtap. Credit then to the bee enthusiasts who formed Brew Wild Manchester, Burnage micro bar Reasons To Be Cheerful and Blackjack Brewery, just around the corner from Runaway, who brewed the honeyed nectar (sic).
It features local honey and a variety of appropriately floral hops including cluster, admiral, saaz and goldings with a bunch of local marjoram added at the end of the boil.
You’ll be able to buy it in bottled form at the Manchester Art Gallery shop in a couple of weeks. Currently they are stocking Brew Wild’s Honey and Herb Ale, brewed by Macclesfield’s RedWillow back in February.
Supportive of beekeeping, the Gallery has hives on the roof producing ‘Bee-Raphaelite Honey’. ToM editor Neil Sowerby is so supportive of the latest beer he’s interviewed about it in this buzzing YouTube video. Follow @BrewWild
Don't miss our countdown to the climax of Manchester Beer Week.